In a shocking case of extremist violence, Zaheer Mahmood, a 29-year-old man from Pakistan, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for a meat cleaver attack that left two people injured outside the former offices of Charlie Hebdo. The incident took place in 2020, shortly after the satirical magazine republished controversial cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. Unbeknownst to Mahmood, Charlie Hebdo had relocated its headquarters following a deadly 2015 attack that claimed the lives of 12 individuals.
Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Meat Cleaver Attack near Charlie Hebdo
Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Meat Cleaver Attack near Charlie Hebdo
Zaheer Mahmood was found guilty of attempted murder and terrorist conspiracy in connection with a violent assault in Paris.
Mahmood, influenced by radical preacher Khadim Hussain Rizvi's calls for vengeance, was convicted of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit terrorism. During the assault in 2020, he approached the nearby Premieres Lignes news agency and seriously injured two of its employees. Several eyewitness accounts described a scene of chaos as victims were seen being pursued and injured by Mahmood.
In addition to Mahmood's harsh sentence, five other Pakistani men, some minors at the time, received sentences ranging from three to 12 years for their roles in planning the attack. The court proceedings for these co-conspirators took place in a juvenile court due to their ages.
Both victims were present to witness the sentencing, with one of them sharing how the attack had permanently affected him and that he had undergone a long rehabilitation process. Mahmood, who initially arrived in France illegally in 2017, reportedly struggled to integrate into French society, claiming he felt disconnected and never truly left Pakistan. His defense lawyer noted that Mahmood did not even speak French and lived in a community primarily comprised of other Pakistanis. Following the completion of his sentence, Mahmood will be banned from returning to France.
In addition to Mahmood's harsh sentence, five other Pakistani men, some minors at the time, received sentences ranging from three to 12 years for their roles in planning the attack. The court proceedings for these co-conspirators took place in a juvenile court due to their ages.
Both victims were present to witness the sentencing, with one of them sharing how the attack had permanently affected him and that he had undergone a long rehabilitation process. Mahmood, who initially arrived in France illegally in 2017, reportedly struggled to integrate into French society, claiming he felt disconnected and never truly left Pakistan. His defense lawyer noted that Mahmood did not even speak French and lived in a community primarily comprised of other Pakistanis. Following the completion of his sentence, Mahmood will be banned from returning to France.
